Hypersensitivity Reaction to Clopidogrel

Clinical features:

(1) The patient is taking clopidogrel.

(2) The patient develops a systemic hypersensitivity reaction (see below).

(3) No other explanation is found.

(4) The patient improves when clopidogrel is discontinued. Complete reversal may take some time.

Clinical findings:

(1) skin rash

(2) fever

(3) signs of internal organ involvement, which may include nausea and vomiting, bone marrow depression, renal dysfunction, etc

Recurrence on re-exposure is a key clinical finding but rarely performed intentionally due to the potential risk for the patient.